Knee Preservation Treatments
Chronic knee pain? Explore your options.
Advanced knee preservation treatments may help patients with cartilage damage, previous meniscus loss, or early joint wear protect their natural knee and stay active.
Knee preservation focuses on protecting the healthy parts of your natural knee while addressing the underlying causes of pain and joint damage.
Knee preservation techniques refer to cartilage repair, meniscal transplantation, and knee alignment surgeries, which may be used alone or together to address the underlying knee pain. The goal is to reduce pain, improve function, and help you stay active while preserving your natural knee for as long as possible.
Is knee preservation right for me?
Knee preservation candidates are typically 30-50 years old with a healthy BMI.
You might recognize your situation in one of the following statements:
My MRI showed cartilage damage
I’ve had part of my meniscus removed, and my knee still hurts.
I’ve been told I have early arthritis, but I’m not ready for a knee replacement.
I’ve tried physical therapy, injections, or even surgery, but I’m still having pain.
I want to keep doing the activities I love without pain holding me back.
You don’t need to know exactly what’s causing your pain. An evaluation can help you determine whether cartilage damage, meniscus loss, or knee alignment—or a combination—is contributing to the problem.
Eligibility depends on the extent of the damage, overall joint health, activity goals, and other individual factors.
Why treating the whole knee matters
A patient may have cartilage damage, but if their knee is misaligned or missing the cartilage alone may not address the force contributing to the problem
Knee Preservation Treatments
Cartilage Restoration
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Meniscus Restoration
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Knee Alignment Correction
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What to expect from your evaluation
Understand your knee
Identify underlying problems
Develop a personalized plan
Why choose Dr. Money
Since our inception, we have advanced organizations across sectors by pairing strategic insight with disciplined execution.
FAQs
Common Questions about ACL Injuries
What does ACL stand for?
Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Where is the ACL?
Knee Joint
What does the ACL do?
The ACL helps stabilize the knee. You use your ACL to run, jump, cut, and pivot.
Can you walk with a torn ACL?
Yes, you can typically walk with a torn ACL, but pain and swelling may limit you, especially immediately after the injury. It is important to consult with an orthopaedic surgeon because walking with a torn ACL can cause further damage to your knee.
If your tear is partial, you avoid pivoting and cutting, and/or you commit to a physical therapy routine, you may regain enough stability and strength to walk comfortably. However, high-impact activities will be difficult without surgical repair.
Can a torn ACL heal itself?
No. A torn ACL has a limited blood supply, which is essential for healing. It also does not have the ability to reattach itself. However, in some cases, a tear can be managed non-operatively through activity modification and physical rehabilitation. The non-surgical recovery success rate depends on the severity of the tear and the patient’s activity level. Consult with an orthopaedic surgeon to weigh the pros and cons of a non-surgical ACL recovery.
How do you tear your ACL?
ACL tears are caused by abrupt shifting, pivoting, twisting, or hyperextension in the knee (often due to direct contact).
How do you know if you tore your ACL?
Many patients feel a buckling sensation, hear a pop, or experience rapid swelling and instability in the knee. Some describe a painful experience while others walk away from the injury. An orthopaedic surgeon can provide an official diagnosis with a physical exam and an x-ray or an MRI.
Who can diagnose an ACL tear?
An ACL diagnosis and surgical repair falls within the medical purview of an orthopaedic surgeon. Sports medicine physicians and physical therapists often work with athletes and can also provide initial assessments and referrals for an official diagnosis and surgical treatment.
Does a partially torn ACL require surgery?
A partially torn ACL does not always require surgery. It is best to weigh your options with an orthopaedic surgeon. You can expect to weigh the following factors: severity of the tear, activity level, symptoms, rehabilitation potential, age, and overall health.
Schedule a Knee Consultation
Concerned that you tore your ACL? Schedule a visit with Dr. Money at Rothman Orthopeadics Winter Garden, serving Clermont, Ocoee, Windermere, Dr. Phillips, and the greater Orlando area.
ACL Injury Treatment Options
Treatment options range from physical therapy to surgical reconstruction depending on the severity of the tear and the patient’s age, health, and desired activity level.
Non-Surgical ACL Treatment
Many patients ask: can an ACL heal without surgery? While it can’t reattach or heal itself, ACL tears can be managed non-surgically. Conservative treatment includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE); physical therapy; and bracing. A patient who is older, less active, or uninterested in activities involving pivoting and jumping can have a successful ACL tear recovery with this non-surgical ACL treatment option.
ACL Reconstruction Surgery
Young patients, elite athletes, and patients who want an active lifestyle will most likely require an ACL reconstruction to restore stability and function in the knee joint.
Surgery involves small incisions and is performed with an arthroscope, which is a small, tube-like camera the size of a pencil. The torn ligament is replaced with a tissue graft from your knee, your hamstring, or cadaver tissue. During your visit, Dr. Money will help you weigh these options and prepare you for a successful repair and efficient recovery.
One of the keys to successful ACL reconstruction is optimizing your knee before surgery. Dr. Money often recommends physical therapy before surgery to help patients establish a proper gait, full range of motion through the joint, and no swelling in the knee.
Torn ACL Recovery Time
Dr. Money recommends aggressive physical therapy following surgery. You can expect to start physical therapy the day after surgery and continue at regular intervals for a year.
Many patients resume their regular daily activities, such as walking, climbing stairs, and general movement around school, work, and home within six weeks. However, full recovery to pre-surgery activity and performance levels typically takes around nine months.
Supporting Your Recovery
As a former collegiate athlete, Dr. Money understands a nine-month recovery from ACL surgery is challenging for athletes—both physically and mentally—as it means time away from the sport you love, often during crucial development and recruiting timelines.
You can expect unique understanding and support as you weigh your options, consider your timeline, and manage your recovery journey.